Aviation Finance And Leasing In Ireland

Ireland has long been regarded as a leading jurisdiction for aviation finance and leasing. The development of the aviation sector in Ireland can be traced back to the 1970s when the late Dr. Tony Ryan founded Guinness Peat Aviation (GPA) in Shannon, County Clare. Notwithstanding its failed flotation in the early 1990s, GPA played a pivotal role in forging Ireland's reputation as a key – and arguably the pre-eminent – centre of activity in the global aviation finance industry. While other jurisdictions, most notably Malta, Singapore and the Cayman Islands in recent years, have put forward cases to challenge its status, Ireland has continued to improve its offering in a concerted effort, not just to retain its existing businesses, but to compete effectively in the global marketplace.